Art Craft Frame?

Create a Post
Framar

Framar

WOW Framer
Joined
Jul 24, 2001
Posts
26,421
Loc
Buffalo, New York, USA/Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada
I have done a dumb thing. My neighbor called to tell me that he had sent his barber to me cause I am the best framer in the world and this guy had the need of a frame. So Mr. Barber and his wife come to my house, dragging this really UGLY ready made frame. Bought it from the photographer who had to close his business due to illness. Great photograph, cheesy frame. Anyhow, they have two frames, need one more for daughter #3.

Barber thinks the frame was from Art Craft. I have never heard of Art Craft. Is it a Canadian company, or a photo frame company, or a Canadian photo frame company? It's not in the Decor Sources mag, I don't know how to start looking. And of course I feel impelled to find this awful frame, cause doncha know, being the best framer in the world and all...

It is about 2" wide, ugly gold and ugly walnut- ish. I took some photos of it. Would a picture help? Ron???

H E L P!!!! Thanks!
 
Hey Framar,

Talk about mission impossible...

The photo frame/ready made market is huge! There are a ton of manufacturers and distributers that make and sell ready mades, as I'm sure you know. I have never heard of "Art Craft" although that does not mean that they do not or exist.

The problem with photo frames (ready mades) is that most are purchased as a part of a large minimum order so even if you find them the chances of getting hold of one frame is pretty slim unless they can link you with a shop that may already have one. As you can guess, pretty far out chance. There are duplications of styles out there by different manufacturers so a photo might help, but the best case senario would be to offer three new matching frames (with the future possibility of being able to provide more).

Good luck.

Ted
 
Framar,

Let's go through this step by step.

Your neighbor sent this barber to you because you are the Best in the world, right?

And, by definition, a framer Builds frames, right?

So that begs the question, why don't you build him 3 of the Best frames in the world?? :confused:

I would explain to this client that there are so many outfits out there selling second rate ready made frames that are built in third world countries with slave labor out of old shipping pallets and crates and no guarantee if any particular frame style will be available after the first run of them is done and you,on the other hand, would be willing to build him a matching set of frames out of first quality premium grade picture frame moulding of His choice right there in your frame shop where he could even watch the manufacture of the frames (he probably will have hair appointments anyway) AND guarantee them forever! (Taking deep breath now)

Why should you be the "search engine" for a $10.00 frame that most likely won't be available and will net you about what it is worth in time and trouble??

Be proud of your profession and let him know that you are a PROUD custom framer! Let him know that YOUR work is the BEST and is GUARANTEED and is WORTH every penny of what he will pay in knowing that he bought a quality product that will last for a lifetime and he knows where to come to get another one should the need arise. And then .................when he says, "Yes, yes framar, how could I be such a fool?? Build my frames for me, Please!!"................. when you hear those words, make darned sure that you sell him a moulding that you are fairly sure WILL be available 10 years from now so you don't have to eat a word sandwich for lunch some day in the future! ;)

Framerguy
 
Yeah boy, I can find him three lovely matching guaranteed available LJ frames for about $200 each AMERICAN and then, oh yeah, tack on AT LEAST 50% exchange for Canadian, and what do I do with a dead barber in my livingroom?

Only two responses to my query and I think I'll give my neighbor the photos I took and let HIM tell the barber to call around, not my department. No siree, barb(er). I just gave this a shot cause I really like my neighbor and he is so darned proud of me and always trying to get me business. That might be one of the drawbacks to this business. Just because I try to do little framing jobs for him in exchange for food (he is a chef) (did I just say, "Will Frame For Food"?), he has no clue about what my customers pay for "custom framing."

*sigh* :rolleyes:
 
When we get these "beauties" I tell them I am sooo sorry, but this frame is no longer available. I give them the song "The Moulding Makers Only Make One Million Feet Blues" and then offer other readymade alternatives if the custom route gives them heart palpitations. And whenever anyone brings in a senior picture/ brides picture to be framed I suggest that if there are siblings, they better order frames for all of them and reprise the song. A percentage of the time it works...
 
Wow, Omar. Now you got ME wanting to bring all my framing to YOU! What a pitch! What a speil! Send me a dozen of your finest! Overnight!
 
In similar situations, I have told the customer, "they don't make these anymore." and then, to keep them from despairing at having to pay real money for real frames, I would send the across the strett to Walgreens, or to Target, to pick out a matching set of ready made photo frames. The patter would be something like, "If you keep an eye out, you may be able to find three matching frames in your price range. Then just bring them to us, and we can fit them for you for $x." That way, I don't get stuck with a no-chance-of-profit-pain-in-the-wazoo order, and the customer has some options.
Sometimes, the customer has found something they like a lot better than the one they were trying to match.
 
Yes, I have those people, too. If the customer is definitely not looking for a custom built frame, which is what framers make, I also suggest that if we can't "find" the frame, they look for a similar ready-made one at an affordable price and then I can cut the mats to make it look like similar to the other ones. :cool:
 
Dear Framar,
I feel your pain, having recently gone through a very similar experience. After going through lots and lots of catalogues, I finally found one that was reasonable close. The customer was happy. The other grumblers are right, we should not feel bad about not spending hours looking for something for little or no profit, BUT... this always has something to do with not disappointing someone, and helping out friends. (Repeat after me..no, no, no. Keep practicing.)So anyway, please post the pics, since all these readymades are still fresh in my mind, maybe I'll remember one close enough to get by...

Leslie, fellow sucker
 
Framar,
I sense you are not getting the answer you are looking for, so here it is (maybe).
Perhaps he meant ProCraft. Several styles of readymades and photographers love 'em. There is usually a number on the back of the frame that starts with pc-xxxx. Worth a look anyway. It might win over the guy and wife forever and maybe they'll get the good stuff for the next go around.
With the profit you'll make, you can always invest in a cushioned stretcher to catch future fainters. (Catch and Carry's!)hhmmm. that sound's cute: "Framing Fainters Catch and Carry Stretchers"...I keep threatening to buy one for my store.
 

With the profit you'll make, you can always invest in a cushioned stretcher to catch future fainters. (Catch and Carry's!)

We have stools for the customers to perch on if they are feeling weary. When the price blows them away, we laughingly say, "You thought those stools were just there for your comfort, didn't you?" Then we laugh with them, and drop the design specs little by little, until we find their comfort level...
 
I don't mind them being a bit sticker shocked, especially the first-timers. Lots of times after smelling salts are applied, they pick the more expensive design anyway. The ones I dislike are the ones who say things like "that is outragous!" or (like yesterday) "that is highway robbery!" How RUDE! Do they say things like that in Neiman's or Saks? :mad:
 
Create a Post
Back
Top